Emi Buendia has decided on Aston Villa exit – Ex-Villa Park employee
Emi Buendia may have had his fate sealed by recent events at Aston Villa.
The Argentine has had mixed success in the four years since his move from Norwich City, and he spent the second half of last season out on loan with Bayer Leverkusen.
That loan stint in the Bundesliga understandably saw Buendia drift to the periphery of the Aston Villa squad, which then prompted consistent talk of a potential departure during the summer transfer window.
The attacking midfielder ultimately remained at Villa Park beyond the 1 September deadline, and his situation for the future has since become increasingly clear.
Emi Buendia to become a ‘central part’ of Aston Villa team
Buendia has been excellent for Aston Villa in the early stages of this situation, and he has enjoyed something of a resurgence in B6.
The 28-year-old has still been confined to largely substitute appearances at the moment, but he used his time on the pitch to great effect in the recent win over Fulham, in which he changed the game with a goal and an assist.
Buendia followed that up with a goal in the Europa League victory at Feyenoord, and now looks like a firm part of Unai Emery’s plans once again.
Ex-Villa scout Bryan King – speaking exclusively to Villa News – believes that any suggestion of an exit is now off the cards, with the midfielder set to become a key figure this season.
“Buendia has buckled down and worked hard,” King said.
“What you do during the week is going to make an impression on the manager in terms of bringing you into the team.
“He’s obviously worked hard at that and got himself in the side. He obviously wants to stay there, and his performances are looking as though he will become a central part of Emery’s team.
“As long as Villa are picking up results, it looks like he will be playing.”
Unai Emery will be grateful that Emi Buendia wasn’t sold
Emery had been under pressure at Aston Villa in recent weeks, as they went winless for the opening five league games and goalless for the opening four.
- Villa failed to score in their opening four Premier League games
- They now find themselves on a run of four consecutive wins in all competitions
- They have kept clean sheets in two of those four victories
It was Buendia who turned their fortunes on their head in the win over Fulham, and that 45-minute impact looks invaluable in the context of their season.
The victory appears to have lifted a weight from the shoulders of Emery and the squad, and they are now on a four-game winning run.
Buendia could easily have left the Villans in the summer, but Emery will certainly be glad that he didn’t, as he may have kept him in the job.
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